Mana, India’s Last Village Where The Iconic Mahabharata Comes Alive

Destinations

Mana, India’s Last Village Where The Iconic Mahabharata Comes Alive

Mana village in Uttarakhand, also known as the last village of India, has many tourist attractions that hold substantial significance in the Hindu mythology, The Mahabharata. By Tanvi Jain

Mana village, called the last village of India, is located in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand at an elevation of 3,200 metres. It lies on the banks of river Saraswati, and is just five-kilometres away from the famous Hindu pilgrimage Badrinath, and 24 kilometres from the Indo-China border. Even the shopkeepers here sell products with the title ‘the last village’.

As per Hindu mythology, The Mahabharata, it is believed that the Pandavas crossed the Mana village during their final journey to heaven. There is also a stone bridge called Bheema Pul near River Saraswati that’s believed to have been built by one of the Pandava brothers, Bheema.

The place has many tourist attractions such as the Neelkanth park also known as the Queen of Garhwal, which is a snow-clad peak towering the Badrinath Temple. Another one is Tapt Kund, that is believed to be the holy abode of Agni – the Lord of Fire, having medicinal properties which the locals say could cure many skin-related diseases.

Moreover, just nine kilometres from Badrinath Temple lies the picturesque Vasundhara waterfalls, which is believed to have been home to the Pandavas for some time when they were in exile. The village has one more attractive tourist spot called the Vyas Gufa. It was here that Ved Vyas — renowned scholar and writer — composed the famous four Vedas. The cave has a small shrine dedicated to him, and believed to be 5,000 years old.

Mana village has many interesting options for trekkers and hikers, like from Mana to Vasundhara, Mana to Mana Pass, and Mana to Charanpaduka. The village can easily be accessed from Haridwar junction that lies at a distance of approximately 275 kilometres, and Dehradun railway station, which is around 315-kilometres away.

Last year, the village was also awarded the ‘best clean, iconic tourist destination’ under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Rural) at the Swachh Mahotsav 2019, held in the national capital.